5 Things to Know in Florida for March 3
Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP TO SUE FBI OVER CHECHEN MAN’S DEATH
A civil rights group plans to sue the FBI for $30 million on behalf of the family of a Chechen man who was fatally shot while being questioned about a Boston Marathon bombing suspect. The Council of American-Islamic Relations Florida on Monday filed a notice of claim stating its intention to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the FBI over the death of Ibragim Todashev. Todashev was killed at his Orlando, Florida, apartment about a month after the April 15, 2013, marathon bombings.
PANEL RECOMMENDS REPRIMAND, FINE FOR BROWARD JUDGE IN DUI
A state judicial panel has recommended a reprimand, fine and temporary suspension for a veteran Broward County circuit judge convicted of DUI and reckless driving. The Judicial Qualifications Commission findings were filed Monday with the state Supreme Court in the case of Judge Cynthia Imperato. A jury convicted Imperato in December, but the sentence was suspended while she appeals. Boca Raton police say Imperato was stopped in November 2013 after someone called to report a possibly impaired driver. Police say Imperato refused to take a breath test or perform field sobriety tests.
$4 MILLION IN GOLD STOLEN FROM TRUCK IN NORTH CAROLINA
Authorities in eastern North Carolina say armed robbers stole $4 million in gold from a truck traveling on Interstate 95 from Florida to Massachusetts. The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office says the two security guards working for Transvalue Inc. of Miami reported pulling to the side of the interstate after their vehicle began having mechanical problems. They were then approached by three armed men driving a white van who ordered the guards to lie on the ground, tied their hands behind their backs and then marched them into nearby woods. Authorities say the male suspects then unloaded barrels filled with gold and made their getaway.
FIERY CRASH IN JACKSONVILLE KILLS 4, CLOSES BUSY HIGHWAY
A fiery highway crash in Jacksonville on Monday killed four people and resulted in the closure of all southbound lanes on a busy stretch of road. A Florida Highway Patrol spokesman say the crash occurred Monday afternoon on the Buckman Bridge segment of Interstate 295 when a tractor trailer hit an SUV from behind, killing two adults and two children inside. FHP says another, smaller SUV was also damaged after the initial crash, injuring three more people inside. There was one driver in the tractor trailer, who survived the crash.
LAWMAKER RENEWS PUSH TO BRING MEGA CASINOS TO FLORIDA
South Florida could become home to two resort casinos under a sweeping gambling bill proposed by a top Republican. Rep. Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, released on Monday a mammoth bill that would upend the state’s multi-billion dollar gambling industry. The legislation does not address the compact that allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to offer blackjack and other games at its casinos. A key portion of that compact expires later this year.
Navarre Press